National Republican., 1887-02-02
Defense of seaboard Cities.

On Jan. 81 Mr.. Morrow, by unanimous con-
sent, pres ented in the House of Representatives
memorial Of the Chamber of Commerce of
San Francisco CAL, which was read, in favor
of placing seaboard cities in a state of defense
against maritime attacks. 1t is as follows:
To THE HONORABLE TIE SENATE OF THE
UNITED STATES AND THE HOUSE OF REpREsEN-
TATlvrS IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED: The Cham
Der OF Commerce of San Francisco desires by
every consideration of national self interest
and patriotic pride TO impress upon you the
absolute necessity. for placing our seaboard
cities in state Of defense against maritime at
tack.
An efficient torpedo service and modern guns
in modern fOrtifications and on board high
this this "'A''eu '''''''' "i' n'O'''''s u e''e''
Years are needed to complete economically
such system OF national defense. 10 use the
money accumulated by tho seif.imposed taxa
tion Of a patriotic people for such purpose is
but to return 1t to the channels Of labor and the
mechanic arts from whence II came.
IL Is a true economy which will receive the
support Of your iellow-citizens irrespective of
party.
America, and the Orient is possessed OF charts
Of our coast: their naval officers are personally
less condition.
The young English speaking nation of the
southern hemisphere, anticipating the. evil
day, is now fortiiying the harbors of sydney
Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington, and Dune.
din.
When the time of danger comes, what men,
Der of Congress will be pleased TO have 1t
charged against him that he voted against the
rational deiense2 Who knows how long that
policy Of foreign powers been discarded? Are
they like ourselves, unprepared? Are they
unaware of our defenseless condition and of
our ability to pay ransom?
Any day the various international questions
which arise may involve us in war, and, in
our present deienseless condition. In disgrace.
hn ~ nf Co Ero,a ntpnn Ia s1
class harbor from Puget Sound to San Diego.
| Here center our railways, here our only Pacific
| coast naval station, here national mint and
ssnh6ntreasnry, syhn n frequently containing nearly
within thin range of modern guns amounting to
From its unique position San Francisco is
| our Atlantic coast The enemy's ships can
| throw shell from the Pacific ocean into the
buildings taI. wherein your memoriaiists unite in
1as GfSffaa a o9fd 99adaaSss sss Controls S'
property and can exact q ransom of millions
more than would render our harbor and it:
approaches impregnable. True economy aud
| patriotic duty demand that we should be pre-
While San Francisco is especially exposed
| your memoriaists respectfully urge the same
policy in regard TO our sea- board cities on both
sides Of the continent: let them also share your
| attention and solicitude.
The facts we have briefly presented impress
upon us the conviction that IL we continue
unprepared we shall sooner or later receive a
| ment that II is true economy in time Of peace
| toVprepare for war.
With much respect your fellow.citizens, the
| Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco.
WILLIAM l.. MERRY, President.
THos. j. HAYES, Secretary.
| SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 49, 1887.
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| OF nhrnp Ia